Automobile parking apparatus and parking structures incorporating the same



Oct. 28, 1958 H. F. MORLEY 2,858,032 AUTOMOBILE PARKING APPARATUS ANDPARKING I STRUCTURES INCORPORATING THE SAME Filed Aug. 31, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 1 f zz INVENTOR HERBERT E MORLEY ATTORNEYS Oct. 28, 1958 H.F. MORLEY 2,858,032

AUTOMOBILE PARKING APPARATUS AND PARKING STRUCTURES INCORPORATING THESAME Filed Aug. 31, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HERBERT f: MO

BY MM,

ATTORNEYS Oct. 28, 1958 H. F. MORLEY 2,358,032

AUTOMOBILE PARKING APPARATUS AND PARKING STRUCTURES INCORPORATING THESAME Filed Aug. 51, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 v ATTORNEYS Oct. 28, 1958 H F.MORLEY 2,858,032

AUTOMOBILE PARKING APPARATUS AND PARKING STRUCTURES INCORPORATING THESAME Filed Aug. 51, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR HERBERT E MORLEYATTORNEYS United States Patent 0 AUTOMOBILE PARKING APPARATUS AND PARK-ING STRUCTURES IN CORPORATING THE SAME Herbert F. Morley, Silver Spring,Md. Application August 31, 1956, Serial No. 607,504

6 Claims. (Cl. 214-16.1)

The present application relates to a novel automobile parking apparatusfor increasing the number of stored automobiles for a given ground areaand storage structures utilizing the same.

In recent years the problem of providing adequate parking facilities forautomobiles in urban or other congested areas has become a seeminglyinsurmountable one. While many proposals in the form of multi-storiedramp or elevator serviced buildings have been tried and used, theexpense per storage space requiring high charge rates, the low accessand discharge speed or the wear and tear on the automobiles to be storedhas militated against a satisfactory solution. Among the proposalsoffering some prospect of a solution are those of the present applicantdisclosed in United States Letters Patent 2,598,413, dated May 27, 1952,and entitled Storage Building and Mechanism For Loading Same, and2,717,088, dated September 6, 1955, and entitled Multiple Car ParkingApparatus and Installation Therefor. While the cost per parking space inthese structures is satisfactory, the speed of charging and dischargingthe spaces and the failure of these structures to meet the presentlyrigid building codes in certain urban areas have militated against theirusage.

Another proposal is that of United States Letters Patent 2,647,647,issued August 4, 1953, to Mihia Alimanestiano and entitled Apparatus forParking Automobiles, and related United States Letters Patent 2,707,054,issued April 26, 1955, to the same inventor and entitled ParkingApparatus. This latter proposal, due to the limited number of spacesprovided, the complexity of the automobile handling equipment and theneed for exact registration of the elevator structure and the relatedstorage structure renders this proposal too expensive to warrantreasonable parking rates and too uncertain in practical operation.

It, therefore, is the primary object of this invention to provideautomobile handling equipment that is not only simple and highlyefiective in operation but is adapted to provide adequate storage spacesto assure a sufficiently low cost per storage space and thereby enable aprofitable operation at reasonable parking rates.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of anautomobile storage structure consisting of a series of spaced rail-likesupport elements structurally tied together and arranged to supportinglyengage the tired wheels of a stored vehicle or alternately serve astrackways for laterally movably supporting a carriage for supporting andmoving an automobile sidewise to one of two or more side-by-side relatedstorage spaces.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision ofvertically swingable support columns pivotally mounting a series ofhorizontally maintained spaced rail-like support elements structurallytied together and arranged to support two or more automotive Vehiclesthrough engagement with the vehicles tired wheels whereby elevatedstorage of vehicles above vehicles stored at ground level may beinexpensively and readily accomplished.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provisionof an elevator serviced automobile storage unit composed of multi-level,opposed sets of spaced raillike support elements structurally tiedtogether and arranged to supportingly engage the tired wheels of astored vehicle and a skeleton framed elevator structure mounting invertically spaced relation a plurality of laterally mov- I able vehiclesupport carriages of spaced rail-like support elements arranged inopposed aligned relation to the spaces of vertically adjacent opposedsets of spaced raillike support elements whereby, upon lateral. movementin a preselected direction of a selected carriage and incremental up ordown movement of the skeleton elevator structure along its shaft, asupported automobile may be transferred from the movable carriage to apreselected rail-like support element or from a preselected rail-likesupport element to the movable carriage.

A still further object of the present invention resides in forming thespaced rail-like support elements of the preceding object of a lengthsufficient to support two or more automobiles in side-by-side relationand providing each of the rail-like support elements with a respectivemovable carriage of inner open ended rail-like support elements adaptedto be traversed to a position adjacent the elevator shaft to receive anautomobile from the elevator carriage and move it to a storage positionon the preselected rail-like support element remote from the elevatorshaft.

Another object of the present invention resides in utilizing thevertically spaced plurality of laterally movable elevator supportcarriages of the preceding object to effect an exchange of an automobilestored at the remote position on the preselected rail-like supportelement and an automobile stored on the preselected rail-like supportelement adjacent the elevator shaft without. fully lowering the elevatorto effect the exchange whereby the remote located automobile can besecured for delivery to a customer in a minimum length of time.

Still further objects of the invention will appear as the descriptionproceeds in connection with the appended claims and accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmental schematic top plan view of a preferred parkingstructure employing the: automobile parking apparatus of the presentinvention, the swingable parking platform at the left being omitted tomore clearly illustrate the movable carrier employed to move the groundlevel stored car to its stored position;

Figure 2 is a schematic end elevational view of the parking structure ofFigure 1 with certain foundation and below ground installations insection for clarity of illustration;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view taken substantially online 33 of Figure 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows toillustrate suggested structural features for accomplishing the ends ofthe present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view similar to Figure 1 of a furtherparking structure employing the automobile parking apparatus of thepresent invention in which several vertically spaced stationary storageplatforms are provided to be serviced by a skeleton type elevator havinga laterally movable platform support section for servicing oppositelyrelated tiers of storage platforms;

Figure 5 is a schematic end elevational view of the parking structure ofFigure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view taken substantially online 66 of Figure 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows toillustrate suggested structural features of the novel elevator structureused in this form of the invention;

Figure 6A is a tragmental view showing the details of Patented Oct. as,1958 the pick-up finger assembly provided to actuate the platformcarriers of Figures 4 through 7; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 7-7 ofFigure 5.

The present invention seeks to meet the high cost per parking spacecommon in the existing commercial parkmg garages and structures byutilization of a skeleton steel structure of unique design made uptiered storage bays 29 arranged in aligned end to end relation atopposite sides of a centrally located longitudinally extending loadingor access aisleway 21. in the preferred structure of Figures 1 through3, ultimate simplicity is obtained while increasing the storage capacityof a given 28 wide lot by approximately 100%. This embodiment of theinvention contemplates below ground level laterally extendingfoundations 22 disposed at pre determined intervals longitudinally ofthe lot, preferably about 22 from center to center. Each foundation 22provides laterally spaced support footings 23. The overall lateraldimension is preferably 28 to provide adequate clearance foroperation'of the mechanical storage apparatus to be presently described.

The ground area between foundations 22 is trenched in criss-crossrelation to provide longitudinally spaced, transversely extendingtrenches 25 and 26 adapted to receive transversely aligned support rails2'7 and 28 of I -beam form in cross section. Referring to Figure 1, itwill be noted that two transversely extending rows of rails 27 aredisposed in trenches 25 whereas four transversely extending rows ofrails 28 are provided in trench 26. This rail arrangement is desired toproperly position the various length automobiles the rear wheels ofwhich are intended to be centered between the two sets of rails 27 asthe automobile enters in the direction of the arrow 29 (Figure 1). Withthe rear wheels centered as described the front wheels willautomatically land on or between adjacent pairs of rails 28 dependingupon the respective Wheel base of the automobile in question.

As clearly seen in Figure 3, rails 27 are disposed below ground level intrench 25. Rails 28 are similarly disposed below ground level in trench26. The ground area between trenches 25 and 26 is preferably on thelevel of the top of rails 27 and 28. The ground surface at the oppositeends of each area of bays 2i] is preferably sloped downwardly asindicated by numeral 31' (Figure 3) for a purpose to be presentlypointed out.

Each support footing 23 is provided with a heavy base or foot plate 32of T-shape cross section the stem 33 of which is vertically disposed toprovide a pivot base for a pair of oppositely facing, channel shaped,vertically extending framing members 34 and 35. Each pair of framemembers 34 and 35 are opposite a similar pair of frame members at theother end of each bay 2%. Base plates 32 are preferably secured infootings 23 by the customary securing bolt and nut assemblies 36 and, ifdesired, the stems 33 may be reinforced by gusset plates 37 suitablywelded to the outer side faces of stems 33 and the cross arm of plates32.

Each stem 33 adjacent its opposite ends is suitably apertured at 33(Figure 3) to form pivot apertures adapted to receive headed pivot pins39. The shanks 41 of pins 39 protrude in opposite directions from stems33 and the heads are preferably non-circular and seated in matingrecesses in the stems 33 to retain the pins against rotation. Theprotruding shanks 4 1) pass through suitable pivot apertures 41 providedin the base wall 42 of members 34 and 35 and suitable apertures in stems33 disposed between the opposite side walls of channels and 35. Wearwashers 44 held in abutting relation to the exposed faces of stems 33 bysplit snap rings 45' seated in annular grooves in shanks retain thevarious parts in pivoting assembled relation. Similar wear washers arepreferably interposed between each of the frame members 34 and 35 andthe adjacent faces of their mounting stems 33. Base walls 42 of framemembers 34 and 35, adjacent their upper ends, are provided with similarpivot apertures 41 and oppositely related apertured pivot plates 43welded to walls 42 to form pivot apertures at the upper ends of theframe members 34 and 35.

The upper pivot apertures of the opposed frame members of each bay areaxially aligned to receive the oppositely directed headed pivot pins 46the heads of which are preferably bolted to end plates 47 welded as at48 to respective cross channel bars 49 and 51. The shanks of pivot pins46 are similarly annularly grooved to receive wear washers 44 and snaprings which serve to retain cross bars 49 and 51 in place tying opposedframe members 34 and opposed frame members 35 together.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the opposed side walls 52and 53 of cross channel bars 49 and 51 lie in horizontal planes onebehind the other. The uppermost walls 52 provide laterally spacedsupport surfaces for mounting laterally extending I-beams 54 and 55 instaggered vertically spaced relation outside of rails 27 and at eitherside of rails 28 respectively. Like rails 27 and 28, I-beams 54 and 55form respective front and rear automobile wheel receiving depressionstherebetween and they are preferably welded as at 56 to the spaced crosschannels to form respective pantograph linkages.

While I-beams 54 and 55 may be of a length, for example, to receive fromone to three automobiles in sideby-side laterally spaced relation, ithas been determined that the most suitable arrangement on a 28 width lotis to provide for storage of one automobile in the bays along one sideof the lot and two automobiles in the bays along the other side of thelot. This arrangement is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 wherein the lefthand bays have l-beams 54 and 55 of one car storage capacity and theright hand bays have l-beams 54 and 55 of two car storage capacitycantilevered inwardly toward the left hand bays.

It will be appreciated from the description so far given, that framemembers 34 and 35- are held in parallel spaced relation by the pivotpins 4t) and the cross channel bars 4951, rigidly connected to I-beams54 and 55..

It will further be appreciated from Figure 2, that the laterally spacedpivot pins 39 and 46 have their axes relatively fixed and lying inparallel planes. As a consequence, the opposed sets of frame members 34and 35 together with their interconnecting cross channel bars 49 and 51and l-beams 54 and 55 form in effect collapsible parallelogram platformunits 57 which in collapsing will at all times maintain the I-beams .54and 55 in a horizontal plane. It follows, therefore, that collapsing ofeither parallelogram frame unit toward the other will result in movementof the framing members 34 and 35 and I-beams 54 and 55 and theirsupporting cross channel bars 49 and 51 downwardly into trenches 25 and26 and cross trenches 58 and 59 or cross trenches 61 and 6 2 and edgetrenches 63 depending upon which is collapsed. In this manner, theplatforms'57 can be brought to ground level to receive or discharge anautomobile. To effect this desired movement, the present inventioncontemplates the provision of hydraulic hoists 64 the ends of which arepivotally connected at 65 and 66 respectively to a below level groundsupported mounting plate 67 and to support members 34. These hoists maybe of the general type employed in conyentional'durnp trucks or forservice station lifts and, if deemed necessary, one can be provided ateach end of each collapsible platform unit 5'7 as illustrated in Figurel. 4

Referring to Figure 2, it will be appreciated that the outermost crosschannel bars 51 ofthe respective collapsible platform units traverse apath shown by the arrows '71 while the innermost cross channel barstraverse a path shown by the arrows 72. It follows, therefore. that anautomobile can be left stored at ground level as indicated in dot-dashlines in Figure without interfering with normal collapsing movement ofeither frame unit. It will further appear that an automobile on the lefthand platform unit and an automobile on cantilevered ends of the righthand platform unit I-beams 54 and 55 will be deposited or deliveredalong the same longitudinal aisleway the approximate center of whichlies slightly to the left of the left edge of cross channel 61. If,therefore, this aisleway is left free the full length of the lot, amaximum of six automobiles can be stored in each unit length of the lotusing the illustratedapparatus if a car is stored between the aislewayand the right hand ground level stored car. Such storage is possiblesince the last mentioned cars can be driven into or out of theirintended storage space into the longitudinal aisleway of an adjacentunit length of the lot. Since the maximum longitudinal storage capacityof a 28 lot without the apparatus of this invention would be three linesof automobiles with the same aisle space and would require multipleautomobile movement to remove the extreme right hand car, the capacityis doubled by this structure.

It will be noted that the elevated storage platforms 57 both have theirI-bearns 5.4 and 55 cantilevered inwardly of their respective crosschannels 49 the right hand one to an extent suflicient to support asecond automobile. Similar cantilevering of I-beams 54 and 55 of eachplatform 57 beyond cross channels 51 may, if desired, be effected tofurther increase the storage capacity by providing each platform with alaterally movable carrier 75 which is employed also on rails 27 (Figures1, 2 and 3) to conveniently store an automobile between each opposedsetof frame members 34 and 35. These novelly formed carriers preferablycomprise a series of inverted channel members 76 (Figure 3)interconnected at their outermost ends by a cross strut 77 joining theseveral channel elements for unitary movement. Each of these channelmembers between its depending flanges is provided with a series ofsupport rollers 78 journalled for rotation on a hardened cross shaft 79suitably nonrotatably mounted in suitable axially spaced alignedtransverse apertures in the flanges of the channels 76. Suitable wearwashers 81 mounted on shaft 79 at the opposite end of each roller arepreferably provided to prevent rubbing of the rollers against theflanges. These rollers are adapted to support the respective channelmembers for axial rolling movement along tracks 27 and 28. In actualpractice it is contemplated that five such rollers of suitable diameterwill be mounted adjacent each end of each channel in axially spacedrelation to assure smooth passage of the carriers 75 across the crosstrenches 58--59, 61-62 and to properly distribute the weight of thesupported carrier and an automobile thereon. To this end the spacingbetween peripheries of the adjacent rollers should be about 2 /2 inches.

While the inner ends of the channels 76 forming the carriers 75 used ontracks 27 and 28 could be interconnected by a strut similar to strut 77to impart rigidity to the carrier, it is desired that identical carriersbe provided for use on tracks 27 and 28, the upper support beams 54 and55 and the storage platforms of the further embodiment of the inventionshown in Figures 4 through 6 and that some means be provided to preventrelative lateral shifting of the carriers on their respective supportrails. To accomplish these ends, the present invention proposes toinstall laterally opposed pairs of side thrust or guide rollers 83 atleast at the extreme ends of each channel member 76 arranged to ride onthe opposite faces of the connecting web 84 of the various supporttracks. While rollers 83 may take any suitable form, they preferably aremounted for rotation in bracket elements 85 having non-circular stems 86press fitted into suitable mounting apertures in the flanges of channelmembers 76. Any suitable number of these side thrust rollers may beinstalled.

It will be appreciated from the description just given completely freethat lateral shifting of the various channel members under the weight ofa supported automobile will be resisted by these thrust rollers and, dueto the true rolling contact in all directions of stress, that carriers75 will be readily traversed along their respective tracks. Suitablestops 87 (Figures 2 and 5) welded or otherwise permanently secured tothe respective tracks at the desired points are preferably provided topositively limit the traversing movement of carriers 75. This novelcarrier structure, therefore, provides in eflfect inwardly extendingunitarily movable support fingers defining passageways therebetweenexcept for there outermost ends. Since these carrier support fingers inall cases will lie in centered vertical relation to the tracks overwhich they operate, the carriers will in no case interfere with thecontemplated free passage of the swingable support frames between oroutside of the ground support tracks 27 and 28 or the free passage ofthe movable elevator floor of the embodiment of Figures 4- through 6 tobe presently described.

Since traversing movement of carriers 75 with a supported automobilethereon along their respective trackways is necessary to effect thepurposes of this invention, the present invention contemplates that inthe form of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 3 at least thecarriers will be suitably motorized. While any suitable motorization,such as a fluid reciprocating motor or a rotatingfluid or electricalmotor, the preferred drive for the embodiment of Figures 1 through 3comprises a small, low horsepower, reversible electrical motor 91(Figure I) mounted on a bracket. 92 secured to strut 77 of each carrier75. Each motor 91 has its double ended shaft drivingly coupled throughshafts 93 to drive rollers non-rotatably carried by the ends of shaft 93remote from motors 91. These remote shaft ends are suitably journalledin the flanges of the nearest channel members 76 and the drive rollerscan take the place of any selected support roller 78 if desired.Suitable remote control buttons or control buttons in each bay can beprovided for initiating operation of motors 91 in timed relation, ifdesired, to the operation of hoists 64. The control system, which formsno part of the present invention, can include any desired manner ofinterlocking controls to secure the desired proper timed sequence ofoperation. The ultimate in simplicity desired in the embodiment ofFigures 1 to 3, however, contemplates individual controls at each baysince an attendant must be provided anyway to shift stored automobilesin order to secure the desired automobile when the parking apparatus isfilled to capacity.

Since the operation of the apparatus and parking structure of Figures 1through 3 just described is believed to be obvious from the precedingdescription, a detailed description of operation will not be given here.

Turning to Figures 4 through 6, the novel support finger platformstructure and movable carriers of this invention are illustrated in usein a multi-storied, elevator serviced, skeleton frame parking building.As clearly appears from Figures 4- and 5, this further embodimentcontemplates a skeleton building framework about 37 feet wide and anyappropriate length made up of vertical l-beams 101 interconnected bylongitudinal I-beam stringers 102 and supported on a foundationextending at least two stories below ground level. Each building unitpreferably defines a central shaftway 103 interrupted at 22 footintervals along its length by cross stringers 104 of I-beam crosssection spaced vertically at 7 foot 6 inch intervals and defining alongeach side of shaftway 103 vertically extending parking bays 105. Eachparking bay is vertically interrupted at 7 foot 6 inch intervals by astationary skeletonized automobile support platform 106 composed ofinwardly extending fingerlike supporting I-beams 1G7 and 108 connectedat their outer ends to stringers 162 and supported at a point about 7feet inwardly of their outer ends by longitudinally extending supportingI-beams 109. I-beams 109 are securely fastened at their opposite ends tostringers 104 and are also fastened securely to the undersides offingerlike supportl-beams 107 and 108. This skeleton constructionprovides a very rigid strong frame structure providing longitudinallyspaced tiers of skeletonized supporting platforms 106 capable of storinglarge numbers of automobiles for parking. i}

Preferably support beams 107 and 108 extend inwardly from each side adistance sufficient to, store two automobiles inside-by-side relationand their inner ends define the lateral limits of shaftway 103 assuringadequate side clearance to permit an automobile to pass freely upwardthrough each shaftway 103 when headed lengthwise of the buildingstructure. In addition, support beams 107 and-108; are grouped, asshown. clearly in Figure 4, to provide a pair of longitudinally spacedbeams 1d? adjacent one end of each 'vertically extending tier of parkingbays 105v and'five longitudinally spaced beams 108 adjacent the otherend of each vertically extending tier of parking bays. This grouping isin all respects similar to the grouping of beams 54 and 55 of thepreviously described embodiment so as to supportingly engage the rearand front wheels of a stored automobile.

Referring for the moment to Figure wherein the dot-dash linesindicatestored automobiles, it will be seen that each automobileadjacent the sides of the skeleton frame is stored on a carrierstructure supported by ibeams 107 and 108 while the innermost automobileis stored directly upon I-beams 107 and 108. These carrier structurespreferably take the form of carriers 75 of the previously describedembodiment as will be apparent from a consideration of Figure 4 and thesectioned carrier of Figure 5. As a consequence, it will be appreciatedthat the spaces between each set of beams 107 and each grouping of beams108 is uninterrupted inwardly of support beams 109. It will furthermorebe clear that the area between the innermost beams 107 and 108 of eachplatform 106 is clear space except where beam 109 crosses and that thearea between the outermost beams 107 and 108 of each platform d and theadjacent stringers 104 is clear except for the crossing of beam 109. Itfollows, therefore, that the inner ends of beams 107 and 108 arecantilever supported from stringers 102 and beams 109. This cantileveredsupport of beams 107 and 108 and the free space provided thereby at eachside of each shaftway 103 together with the novel movable carriers 75makes it possible to provide the unusual storage capacity-costrelationship, presently to be pointed out, which gives themulti-s'toried parking structure of Figures 4 .through 6 its practicalappeal.

' In order to deliver an automobile to a selected support platform, thepresent invention utilizes a novel three tiered, laterally movableelevator floor structure 111. A separate elevator 111 is provided foreach vertically extending parking bay 105. Each elevator comprises threevertically spaced pairs of opposed l-beams 112 spaced longitudinally ofa shaftway 103 adjacent neighboring stringers 104 and rigidly connectedin horizontally parallel relation by vertical struts 113 and centeredoutwardly facing channels 114 extending a substantial distance above andbelow the uppermost and lowermost I-beams 112 for a purpose to bepresently pointed out. Suitable gusset plates 115 are preferablyemployed to give greater rigidity to these connections. PreferablyI-beams 112 are dis posed with their webs disposed in parallelhorizontal planes and their flanges extending vertically to provideupwardly opening trackways 115 (see Figure 6). If added strength isdeemed necessary suitable angled struts 116 may also be utilizedextending between the connection of channels 114 to the intermediatei-beam 112 and the connections of struts 113 to the respective upper andlower I-bearns 112. Each channel 114 is received between the flanges ofthe adjacent centered vertically extending I-beam 117 extending from thesubsurface elevator well-floor 118 up through the elevator penthouse 119at roof level and welded "or otherwise rigidly connected to each ofrelated. stringers 104 (Figure 7). Each opposed pair of I-beams 112 areinterconnected midway between their ends by longitudinally extendingI-bearns 121 and the lowermost Lbeams 112 are reinforced againstdepressive stresses due to cantilever forces by compression bars 122(Figure 5). The upper ends of com pression bars 122 are welded orotherwise rigidly connected to lower I-beams 112 at points spacedoutwardly from the lateral midpoints of the beams while their lower endsare welded or otherwise rigidly connected to the flanges of channelmembers 114. Preferably vertically spaced L-shaped guide clips arewelded to channels 114 to encompass the flanges of I-beams 117 and, ifdesired, may mount. suitable grip brake mechanismsof more or lessconventional construction.

The elevator structure so far described provides a rigid skeletonframework for supporting laterally movable carriers 123 adapted toreceive the automobiles to be lifted and stored on the platforms 106.While carriers 123 may assume any desired form so long as they can passlaterally between l-beam supports 107 and 108 of platforms 106 and belowered and raised incremental distances to deposit and removeautomobiles from the inner ends of platforms 106, the present inventionproposes a simple fabricated I-beam construction. To this end, eachcarrier comprises a pair of main support I- beams 125 extendinglongitudinally of shaftway 103 and of a length to dispose their oppositeends in overlying relation to the upwardly facing trackways provided byI-bearns 112 and are fitted at their ends with heavy depending rollers126 (Figure 6). Rollers 126 and their supporting brackets 127 welded tothe underside of support beams 125 are designed and dimensioned toextend downwardly between the upstanding flanges of I-beams 112 so thatrollers 126 ride on the webs of I-beams 112 and support beams 125 inslight upwardly spaced relation to the upper flange edges of I-beams112. Each pair of support beams 125 carry transversely related groupingsof automobile wheel supporting I-beams 128 and 129. The beams 128, ingroups of 2 (spaced 18 inches apart) are located adjacent one end ofsupport beams 125 in position to freely receive the cantilevered ends ofplatform beams 107 (spaced 14 inches apart measured to their outermostfaces) therebetween and are preferably intended to receive the rearwheels of an automobile to be parked in right angular spanning relation.The automobile is thus located in proper position to assure handling andparking and is positively held against accidental forward or rearwardmovement. The beams 129, in groups of 5 (starting 8 feet from beams 107and spaced 8 inches apart), are located adjacent the other ends ofsupport beams 125 in position to freely interfit between thecantilevered ends of platform beams 103 and are preferably intended toreceive the front wheels of the automobiles to be parked. The spacing ofbeams 129, as well as beams 108 and 55 previously described, is such,namely 8 inches, that automobiles having wheel bases of from 100 toinches can be accommodated if their back wheels are located as justdescribed.

To assure adequate clearance for the necessary unitary vertical movementof the elevators and their associated carriers in delivering andremoving automobiles to either platforms 106 or platform carriers 75,the height of the upper faces of carrier beams 128 and 129 above theupper faces of support beams 125 must be of the order of 10 inches. Toprovide this clearance the present invention contemplates that beams 128and 129 be 4 inch I-beams and that metal spacer blocks 131 be interposedbetween beams 125 and beams 128 and 129 respectively and welded to therespective beams.

Lateral movement of carriers 123 may be effected by any suitable means.For example, the present drawings 9 illustrate the drive means ascomprising a reversible electric motor 133 of suitable size (Figures 4and 6) mounted on a motor plate 134,extending between I-' beams 125adjacent one end with its shaft end overlying the edge of the adjacentI-beam 112. The motor shaft carries a drive pinion 135 which meshinglyengages a rack bar 136 supported by brackets 134 welded to the side faceof the adjacent I-beams 112. Suitable selector controls (not shown andforming no part of this invention) are provided for controllingoperation of motor 133 from the ground level in well known manner.

In order to raise and lower the three tiered elevator structure and itsthree carriers 123 as a unit, the present invention proposes hydraulichoist units of conventional elevator type comprising cylinders 136 andpiston rods 137 (Figures and 7) located between the flanges of eachvertical guide beam 117 (Figures 6 and 7). As clearly appears fromFigure 6, the upper end of each piston rod 137 is connected to a thrustblock 138 carried by an L-shaped bracket 139 welded in the channel ofeach channel member 114 adjacent its upper end. Conventional controlsfor these hoist units to secure the desired sequential operation andforming no part of the present invention are preferably provided.

Each of the carriers 75 supported on platforms 106 preferably omitsdrive motor 91 to reduce expense and has movement imparted to it asnecessary through a suitable coupler mechanism connected in suitablemanner in a control circuit designed to sequentially control itsmovements upon actuation of a ground level selector switch which selectsa predetermined one of the carrier storage stations. As illustrated,this coupler mechanism comprises a coupler pin 141 mounted at itsopposite ends in protruding brackets 141 welded to the side faces of theinnermost channels 76 (Figure 4) and a double ended pick-up finger andshaft assembly 142 journaled in aligned journal openings provided in thewebs 1'43 of I-beam members 125 of carriers 123 along the longitudinalcenter. 'As clearly appears from Figure 6A, each assembly 142 includes ashaft 144 carrying at each end, in the normal 3 inch or other suitableclearance provided between the elevator carrier finger ends and theadjacent ends of I-beams 107 and 108, a rigidly connected bifurcatedpick-up finger 145 and is held against axial movement by snap rings 146seated in annular grooves provided in shaft 144 in axially spacedrelation to assure free abutting contact of rings 146 with.

the inner opposed faces of webs 143. Each shaft 144, preferably within apair of outwardly directed flanges of I-beam 143, non-rotatable mountsan actuating arm 147 (Figure 6A) spring biased by a spring 148 to anupwardly inclined position and angularly related to fingers 145 tonormally maintain fingers 145 in a horizontal inoperative position. Anelectrical relay 149 mounted on the flange of I-beam 125 opposite arm147 and in the control circuit to be energized when carriers 123 reachthe selected level and the selected one of their two outermost positionsis provided to cooperate with arm 147 and move shaft 144 and its pick-upfingers 145' through a 90 angle to dispose fingers 145 in upstandingposition with one or the other of coupler pins 141 in coupled relationthe fingers being long enough to receive pin 141 in either the upperdelivery position or lower pick-up position of the elevator. With the.selected carrier 123 coupled to the selected platform carrier 75 as justdescribed, the related motor 133 will automatically reverse itself todrive the selected carrier 123 and the coupled carrier 75 inwardly untilcarrier 123 reaches its normal centered position on the elevatorstructure and carrier 75 reaches its receiving or discharge position atthe inner end of platform 106. At this time, relay 149 is de-energized,pick-up finger and shaft assembly 142 is returned to its normalinoperative position and motor 133 again reverses itself to move carrier123 to either its delivery position above the selected carrier 75 or itspick-up posi tion beneath the selected carrier 75 in accord with the 10control circuitry energized at the ground level selector station. Uponreaching this final position, elevator 111 is lowered or raised theincremental distance necessary to deliver to or recapture from selectedcarrier 75 the automobile desired, the selected circuitry assuring thedesired sequence of operations and then continuing control of motor 133,relay 149 and the related hoist units to return selected carrier 75 toits outermost storage position, carrier 123 to its centered position onthe elevator structure and then to ground level. In either event,carrier is left in its outermost position to assure proper sequentialoperation upon the next required unloading or loading operation of thecarrier 75 or storage of an automobile at the inner ends of platformsupport I-beams 107 and 108. It will be appreciated that the circuitryfor controlling storage of an automobile on the inner ends of I-beams107 and 108 will be such that relay 149 is not energized and thatcarrier 123 will not be required to go through the several extraoperations required of it in moving carrier 75 to its loading orunloading position. It will also be appreciated that the controlcircuitry will include the necessary safety features to assure that asequence of delivery operations to a selected station cannot beundertaken if an automobile is stored in the selected position.

In event an automobile is stored on a platform carrier 75 and also onthe inner ends of its platform I-beams 107 and 108, the presence of theinner automobile can also be utilized to transmit the necessaryintelligence to the control circuitry to impose on the normal removalsequence the necessary sequence of operations to first deliver theinnermost stored automobile to either the upper or lower tier of themulti-tiered elevator, depending upon whether the selected station isabove or below ground, and thereafter, preferably after the automobiledesired to be removed has been delivered to its owner at ground level,to return the innermost car to its initial stored position. In this way,maximum speed of delivery is assured at all times.

While ground level delivery of automobiles might conceivably take placeby driving the automobiles inwardly along a driveway within the buildingextending from the 7 far end over successively longitudinally spacedcarriers and intervening flooring to the desired tier of bays, thepreferred feeding of vehicles in and out of the storage structure takesplace from a single line driveway or passageway 151 along one side orthe other of the storage structure. To accomplish this purpose, theground level platform support beams 107 and 108 are extended outwardlybeyond the normal side limits of the structure at one side and are setand permanently secured in a concrete footing 153 and the usuallongitudinal stringer 102 at ground level is omitted. Preferably awalkway 154 is provided outwardly of footing 153 at the drivers side topermit the driver customer and passengers to readily leave theautomobile after it is driven to the desired longitudinal position overthe spaced powered carriers 75 normally provided at ground level. Thesepowered carriers 75 are in all respects identical to carriers 75 of theembodiment of Figures 1 through 3 and the driveway areas between theinnermost inverted carrier channels 54 and 55 and between successivecarriers 75 is preferably formed by support plates 155 (Figure 4)supported adjacent walk 154 and the adjacent edge of passageway 103 sotheir upper faces will lie only slightly above the plane of the tops ofcarrier channels 54 and 55. As a consequence, an automobile driven alongthe single line driveway traverses a surface interrupted at relativelywidely spaced intervals by the rear wheel receiving spaces providedbetween channel members 54 which need only be of a width to causerelatively slight transverse depressions at widely spaced intervals.Consequently, no appreciable discomfort is occasioned by a reasonablespeed movement along the single line driveway.

In, normal rush hour operations, the attendant will direct the firstdriver to the carrier 75 farthest from the entrance end and successivedrivers to the next free carrier. In this wayfmaximum speed loading isassured since traversing of carriers 75 and loading of several elevatorsat the same time can be effected and as soon as a carrier is freed ofits load by delivery to the associated elevator it can be returned tothe loading driveway to receive the next vehicle. Preferably a canopyroof 156 is providedalong thedriveway side of the building to protectthe driveway and walkway to some extent from the elements and at thesame time enhance the appearance 'of the structure.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the operation of theembodiment of Figures 4 through 7 will be clear. Asa consequence, adetailed description of operation is not believed necessary here.

The inventionmay be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential character istics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to beiconsidered in all respectsasillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. Automobile parking apparatus comprising at least two pairs ofvertically extending supporting uprights arranged in side-by-sideopposed relation along one side of a driveway;horizontally extendingconnecting stringers extending longitudinally and transversely betweenopposed uprights of each pair of uprights at automobile roof levelintervals to form tiered storage bays and secondary stringers extendinglongitudinally between said transverse stringers at points approximatingan automobiles width inward from the outer ends of said transversestringers; a plurality of support rails rigidly connected to respectiveadjacent pairs of longitudinal and secondary longitudinal stringers andextending transversely in predetermined spaced parallel relationinwardly from said secondary longitudinal stringers to define betweentheir opposed inner ends a vertically extending shaftway, said supportrails being spaced along said stringers sufficiently to engage theforward and aft rear wheels of an automobile atperipherally spaced areasand those at one side of said shaftway at least being of suflicientlength to support a pair of automobiles, one in cantilevered relation tosaid secondary longitudinal stringer and the other in generally centeredrelation to said respective pair of longitudinal and secondarylongitudinal stringers; an elevating and traversing device comprising alaterally movable carriage composed of laterally extending support railsvertically aligned with and supported by the support railsat said oneside of said shaftway for back and forth movement on said support rails,and an elevator structure mounted for up and down movement in saidshaftway to a pre-selected position opposite a selected storage bay,said elevator structure having laterally extending pairs of trackwaysextending into and travelling up and down through the tiered storagebays adjacent the opposite ends of such storage bays, a laterallymovable carriage movably supported in said elevator trackways andcomposed of longitudinally spaced laterally extending sup port railsarranged to pass between the inner ends of said stringer supportedsupport rails at said one side of said shaftway whensaid elevator isstopped in said predetermined position to retrieve an automobile ordeposit an automobile on said inner ends of said stringer supportedsupport rails or the movable carriage of said stringer supportedsupport, rails when said carriage is disposed on said inner ends.

2. Automobile parking apparatus comprising at least two pairs ofvertically extending supporting uprights arranged in side-by-sideopposed relation along opposite sides of a shattwayj horizontallyextending connecting stringers disposed at predetermined verticallyspaced levels along said supporting uprights to define tiered storagebays extending longitudinally and transversely between opposed uprightsof each pair of uprights and secondary stringers extendinglongitudinally between said transverse stringers at points approximatingan automobiles width inward from the ends of said transverse stringers;a plurality of support rails rigidly connected to the respectiveadjacent pairs of longitudinal stringers and secondary longitudinalstringers at one side of said shaftway in predetermined spaced parallelrelation inwardly fromsaid secondary longitudinal stringers a distanceexceeding the width of an average automobile and defining at theinnerends one said storage bay at said one side of said;shaftway, saidsupport rails being spaced along said stringers sufficiently to engagethe forward and aft rear wheels of an automobile at peripherally spacedareas and of sufficient length to support a pair of automobiles, one incantilevered relation to said secondary longitudinal stringer and theother in generally centered relation to said respective pair oflongitudinal and secondary stringers; an elevating and traversing devicecomprising a laterally movable carriage composed of laterally. extendingsupport rails vertically aligned with and supported by the support railsat said one side of said shaftway for back and forth movement on said.support rails, and an elevator structure mounted for up and downmovement in said shaftway to a pre-selected position opposite a selectedstorage bay, said elevator structure having laterally extending pairs oftrackways extending into and travelling up and down through the innerends of the tiered storage bays at said one side of said shaftway, alaterally movable carriage movably supported in said elevator trackwaysand composed of longitudinally spaced laterally extending support railsarranged to pass between the inner ends of said stringer supportedsupport rails at said one side of said shaftway when said elevatorstructure is stopped in predetermined position to retrieve an automobileor deposit an automobile on said inner ends of said stringer supportedsupport rails or the movable carriage of said stringer supported supportrails when said carriage is disposed on said inner ends.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said movable elevatorcarriage is provided with independent motive means for propelling it inits back and forth movements and said trackways are provided with limitstops to arrest movement of said carriages at the end of theirrespective paths of travel in both directions.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 together with selectively operablecoupling means adaptedto couple said movable elevator carriage to aselected one of said first mentioned movable carriages to traverse saidselected first mentioned movable carriage in and out along its supportrails to position it for loading and unloading and for storage.

5. Automobile parking apparatus comprising a pair of normally verticallydisposed supporting uprights. arranged in transversely andlongitudinally opposed relation at opposite edges of a transverselyextending storage bay; a third pair of normally vertically disposedsupporting uprights respectively transversely aligned with respect tothe respectively transversely aligned ones of said pairs of uprights;horizontal stringers interconnecting longitudinally oppositely relatedones of said respective pairs of supporting uprights at verticallyspaced points exceeding the normal height of an automobile along saidopposite edges; additional horizontal stringers interconnecting each ofsaid third pair of supporting uprights to its respective transverselyaligned supporting uprights in a plane slightly spaced below th at o fsaid first mentioned stringers thereby completing a rectangular skeletonframework of multiple automobile height de- 13 limiting an areaexceeding in length the normal length of an automobile and in width thenormal width of five automobiles disposed in ide-by-side spacedrelation; oppositely related, lengthwise extending rail supportstringers interconnecting said additional horizontal stringers inwardlyfrom said opposite edges a distance suliicient to provide along withsaid interconnecting horizontal stringers an adequate cantilever supportfor respective sets of transversely extending automobile support rails;transversely extending rails secured at their outer ends to theunderside of each of said first mentioned stringers and extendinginwardly over and being secured to each adjacent one of said railsupport stringers with their inner ends terminating short of theopposite axially aligned rails to define a vertically extendingtransversely centered shaftway, said transversely extending railscornprising pairs of oppositely aligned rails disposed inwardly from oneend of said support stringers and spaced to captively receive a pair oftransversely related automobile wheels therebetween and a multiplicityof oppositely aligned rail groupings disposed inwardly from the otherend of said support stringers and spaced to supportingly engage anotherlongitudinal spaced pair of transversely related automobile wheels; askeletonized elevator structure guided by said third pair of normallyvertically disposed supporting uprights for vertical up and downmovement in said centered shaftway and having a transversely movablerail-like carrier adapted to be selectively moved laterally in eitherdirection into intermeshed relation with said transversely extendingrails to effect a transfer of automobiles therebetween; power means foreffecting vertical movement of said elevator structure to a selectedlevel and thereafter effecting incremental movement of said elevatorstructure to transfer an automobile .from and to said movable carrier;and power means independent of said first mentioned power means foreffecting selected transverse movement of said carrier into intermeshedrelation with said transversely extenaing rails at a selected side ofsaid shaftway to deliver or remove an automobile.

6. The combination defined in claim 5 wherein the transversely extendingrails at each level and at each side of said shaftway are each providedwith a transiiC rail-like support carrier roller supported on saidtransversely extending rails and having a coupler pin and said movablecarrier of said elevator structure has a coupler assembly havingoppositely related coupling fing rs adapted to be selectively moved intoposition 5c the coupler pin of a selected support carrier UJ to impartmovement thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS1,448,763 Miller Mar. 20, 1923 1,522,606 Strickland Jan. 13, 19251,594,368 Jacobs Aug. 3, 1926 1,839,054 Schmeck Dec. 29, 1931 2,242,635Whittelsey May 20, 1941 2,639,046 Tatosian May 19, 1953 2,667,985Billings Feb. 2, 1954 2,788,905 Grove Apr. 16, 1957 2,799,406Alimanestiano July 16, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES Popular Science, June 1956,p. 92.

